FALL 2020 Golden Eagles Soar During Unprecedented Times Called Stewards To Be
Publisher Guerin Catholic High School Editor Colleen Ward cward@guerincatholic.org Editorial Assistant Kelly Kijovsky kkijovsky@guerincatholic.org Copy Editor Shelley Horn Contributors Ryan Davis Alfie Hernandez Shelley Horn Emily McAulay Bob Nichols Mike Panasuk Lauren Van Atter Pohl ’13 Edward Villacorta Printing Rowland Printing Guerin Catholic Most Rev. Bishop High School Timothy L. Doherty diocese of lafayette-in-indiana Mark Titus presiding officer school governing board Dr. John Atha president James McNeany principal Impact Magazine is published annually by Guerin Catholic High School, 15300 Gray Road, Noblesville, IN 46062, 317.582.0120, GuerinCatholic.org. Copyright 2020 by Guerin Catholic High School. All rights reserved. MISSION STATEMENT Guerin Catholic High School is a Roman Catholic college preparatory school serving students from diverse backgrounds and preparing them to be servant leaders through authentic faith formation, academic excellence and student life opportunities. facebook.com/guerincatholic facebook.com/guerincatholicalumni @GuerinCatholic Fall 2020 Welcome Message................................3 QuaranTime Capsule .........................4-6 On Campus ..............................................7 Athletics .....................................................8 Higi Award ................................................9 Class of 2020 ...........................................10-14 Annual Report of Gifts ......................15-17 Retreat Reflections .............................18-19 Alumni News ..........................................20-25 Class Notes ...............................................26-27 Cover photo by Edward Villacorta 2 IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020 New and Familiar Faces Guerin Catholic has been blessed to have a partnership with the Dominican Sisters of St. Cecilia (commonly referred to as the Nashville Dominicans) since 2013. Guerin Catholic welcomes Sr. Paulina Forster, OP, (center) to the Theology department for the 2020-21 school year. Sr. Paulina joins Sr. Ann Thomas, OP (L), who is in her fourth year teaching history at Guerin Catholic. Above, the Sisters welcomed back former Guerin Catholic Chaplain Fr. Thomas Haan (R) for one of the first Kairo Masses of the school year. Due to the pandemic, Kairos masses have moved to the gymnasium from St. Joseph’s Chapel to allow for social distancing.
Leading (and Learning) Through Quarantine Friday, August 14, 2020, was the start of the 17th school year for Guerin Catholic. It also marked the 153rd day since our last in-person school day on Friday, March 13, 2020. That is exactly five full months of time that elapsed and taught us all too well that the best part of our school—why we exist—is our students! I know that I have forgotten more than I remember about all the discussions, mostly over Zoom, that took place during the time of quarantine. What I do remember during those twenty-two weeks we were without our students is the power of our community, especially in the time of need. Guerin Catholic is an amazing place filled with remarkable people who love Christ and their neighbors and who have amazing stories of faith. Our faculty and staff, in partnership with our students and their families, continued to execute our mission during a global pandemic and when we were isolated from each other. How was this possible? This is a question I have been personally reflecting on, especially since this situation has reminded us that we are not in control. The thing I knew from past experience in schools is it is people, not programs, that make a great school. We certainly have great people, so it is no surprise that we have a great school, even during a worldwide crisis. What I learned from our great people during this difficult time is how we do it, and here is how: We trust in God’s Divine Providence, the Gospel, and each other. We seek the Truth, God’s will, a personal relationship with Jesus, and beauty. We serve each other with love, and especially those in need. In 1973 the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops wrote, To Teach as Jesus Did: A Pastoral Message on Catholic Education. This timeless work continuously underscores the three-fold mission of our Catholic schools: l to proclaim the Gospel, l to build community, and l to serve our brothers and sisters. At Guerin Catholic, this is our mission. This is what we do; whether we are on campus and in-person or isolated and hunkered down at home, our great people who make up our amazing community continually strive to Trust, Seek, and Serve! St. Theodore Guerin–Pray for us! Dr. John Atha President Welcome Message 3 GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG
Friday, March 13th, 2020 will always be a day where details are vivid in my mind. We had just announced that we would be taking an extended spring break due to COVID-19 and at the end of the day, one of my seniors came into my office and said, “Mrs. McAulay, I just wanted to thank you for all the help and support you’ve given me.” I thanked the student and asked what prompted this comment. He shared with me that he wanted to express his gratitude in case we didn’t return to in-person classes. At that point it time, I couldn’t begin to fathom not coming back to school for the rest of the year and I tried to calmly assure him that I’d see him again before the school year was finished. Little did I know that my calling as a school counselor, a career I only saw as being in person, would be changed that day. A school counselor’s main purpose is to meet students where they are in order to support and advocate for them. That takes the shape in the form of social-emotional counseling, academic counseling, and college and career counseling. Being a successful school counselor is in part dependent on collaborating with parents, teachers, and administrators, building rapport with students, and knowing community resources. All of which is easier to do in person. The shift for schools in our Diocese to move to e-Learning for the remainder of the year required school counselors at Guerin Catholic to test how flexible and creative we were. Here at GC, the community aspect is such a prevalent, tangible, and important experience. I truly believe it makes our school special. How were we going to meet students where they were when we were all confined to our homes? Outside of all academic uncertainties that came with the drastic shift to e-Learning, one of the things that ran through school counselors’ minds was how are we going to especially support our students, for some of whom, school is where they love to be? God has created humans to be social. We are meant to be part of a larger community outside of ourselves and this is especially important for school aged students. In the new lifestyle we were living and all the anxiety that came with the unknown, and the extra stress of being at-home-learners with family 24/7, hope, faith, and a lot of patience and grace helped us and our students to finish the year. It would have been impossible without teachers and parents being as willing and open to adjust to each student’s academic needs. We at Guerin Catholic are so grateful for the partnerships we have with our families and with our teachers. School counselors could not sufficiently do what we need to without that collaboration. Mrs. Emily McAulay School Counselor (J-P) QuaranTime capsule COVID-19 PANDEMIC 4 IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020 Counseling through Quarantine
5 GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG Concerns about our students’ mental health was also at the forefront of our minds. Our daily routines changed overnight and it seemed that the only thing that was consistent was being ready for inconsistency and prayer. However, we continued to try to provide some consistency for students. Counselors at GC continued to have daily check-ins with some students. Each counselor recorded a video to send to their students, created a Mental Health Resource sheet that was sent to students and families, and sent Wellness Surveys weekly to students to check in and to talk through the blessings and challenges in their lives. Zoom meetings became a necessity to maintain connections and reach students. Communication with parents, teachers, and administrators was more essential than ever in order to best serve our students. We even provided information regarding virtual college tours and information sessions for those who were missing out on physical college visits. While our community looked incredibly different, it was still that sense of community and hope that helped us do our best as school counselors. A verse from 2 Timothy sums up the experience in the best way, “The Lord stood with me and strengthened me.” 2 Tim 4:17 As we begin the 2020-2021 school year, there is a nervous excitement. It’s exciting to see our students and to be back together as a community, but we also recognize that this is going to be another unprecedented year. The pandemic is not over and COVID-19 has impacted our communities and students in different ways. However, despite the fact that each student may be carrying additional stress, anxiety, or other mental health concerns to school this year, I believe we have more tools in our toolbox as school counselors to meet students where they are—physically or virtually. We have had four months of adjusting on the fly, and we will continue to push ourselves to learn and grow in order to provide the best support for our students: a testament that learning is a lifelong experience. At Guerin Catholic, we have had the opportunity to expand and upgrade the technology and teaching subscriptions to our faculty and staff in order to reach students if they have to be at home. We know that families come to our school to be part of our school community and to receive quality instruction. We also know from the experiences of last year, we have the dedication to provide that for our students and families. While much has changed, we know that students may need more help and support than ever, and with the help of our community and with our faith in the Lord, we are ready and excited for the 2020-21 school year. n Campus Ministry printed the photos of all students for a live-streamed “All-School Mass” in St. Joseph’s Chapel during Quarantine “However, despite the fact that each student may be carrying additional stress, anxiety, or other mental health concerns to school this year, I believe we have more tools in our toolbox as school counselors to meet students where they are—physically or virtually.” Mrs. Emily McAulay School Counselor (J-P)
QuaranTime capsule COVID-19 PANDEMIC 6 IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020 Faculty prepare for e-Learning transition in March Freshmen Kairos meet over Zoom Virtual May Crowning ceremony Teacher Appreciation Week E-learning from home Showing love through yard signs Class of 2020 Cap & Gown Pick-up End of Summer Drive-Thru Celebration Mrs. Chianello (L) and Mr. McNeany Mr. Ross Grotto Candle for the Class of 2020
For two evenings immediately prior to the COVID-19 campus shut-down on March 13, the GC Fine Arts department pulled off two fantastic performances of Seussical. Over 80 students participated in the production as cast, crew and pit, and were disappointed when the show’s remaining performances were cancelled due to quarantine. The final evening’s performance on stage proved memorable as the last in-person school event for the 2019-20 school year. n Seussical 2020 SPRING MUSICAL GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG 7 On Campus Guerin Catholic welcomed nearly 180 freshmen Golden Eagles to “The Nest” for the 2020-21 school year. The Class of 2024 is represented by 28 sending schools covering 11 different cities in Central Indiana. In addition to a record amount of over $490,000 in financial assistance awards, our newest class also received over $100,000 in academic scholarships based on their High School Placement Test scores. Welcome to the Nest Class of 2024—we can’t wait to watch you soar! n Welcome To The Nest! CLASS OF 2024 FROM THE LAST DAY ON CAMPUS . . . . . . TO THE FIRST DAY BACK
FALL 2019 During the Purple-Gold Mass to kick off the 20192020 school year, Golden Eagle student-athletes were challenged to keep three things in mind: to embrace failure to help guide their successes, to treat one another like great teammates do, and to fully trust in God’s plan for themselves and for their teams. As we reflect back on these themes amidst an ongoing global pandemic, the seasons and careers that were cut short presented great opportunities to put these themes into action. The Golden Eagles claimed two Circle City Conference Championships in the fall season with boys’ soccer and girls’ golf bringing home trophies in dominating fashion. The boys soccer team, led by Coach Chris McGrath outscored their opponents 25-3 in conference play and made a dazzling run to the semistate championship game where they were edged out by the eventual state champion in penalty kicks. Girls’ golf took home the Circle City Conference crown for the 4th straight year, led by Coach Mark Mathews. The Pfefferkorn sisters, Angelica ’20 and Christina ’22 led the Golden Eagles and advanced individually to the IHSAA State Finals where Christina finished 33rd and Angelica finished with a top 10 finish to end her Guerin Catholic career. It’s a fitting tribute to her success that she was named the 20192020 Guerin Catholic Female Athlete of the Year. WINTER 2019-20 As fall transitioned to the winter season, first year Coach Missy McCracken took the reins of Swimming and Diving and guided the program to three conference champions—Dane Leonard ’21 (1M Diving), Erica Hunckler ’22 (50 Freestyle) and Johannes Hoffman ’21 (100M Breaststroke). Athletics 19-20 Hunckler later made school history by becoming the first female swimmer to qualify for the IHSAA State Finals. She competed in the 100 Freestyle finishing with a time that was top 25 in the state. Another winter season standout was wrestler Jeff Dunasky, Jr. ’20 who graduated from Guerin Catholic as the most accomplished wrestler in school history. Dunasky, Jr. owns the school records in wins, takedowns, nearfalls and winning percentage. He also made school history by becoming the school’s first sectional, regional, county and conference champion. It didn’t come as a surprise when Jeff was named the 2019-2020 Guerin Catholic Male Athlete of the Year. SPRING 2020 The spring season was lost to the pandemic which was heartbreaking in so many ways, but most especially to our senior spring sport athletes. Although they never had the chance to finish out their high school careers, we know that the unprecedented times made them stronger and tougher and we look forward to seeing them in the stands supporting their alma mater for years to come! CLASS OF 2020 COLLEGE ATHLETES There are 11 Golden Eagles continuing their athletic careers at the collegiate level: Gus Baumgartner ’20 football, DePauw University Nicole Cunningham ’20 basketball, Benedictine University Nick Demas ’20 football, Louisiana State University Max Engelking ’20 baseball, Eastern Illinois University Christian Gelov ’20 football, Texas Christian University Wes Gingerich ’20 baseball, Purdue University Angelica Pfefferkorn ’20 golf, Oklahoma State University Matthew Rafferty ’20 baseball, Parkland College Christopher Schaefer ’20 lacrosse, DePauw University Spencer Schneider ’20 football, Indiana State University Keenan Taylor ’20 baseball, Butler University “We are incredibly proud of our student-athletes for all they have accomplished during the 2019-2020 school year. They were challenged, developed and pushed by our coaches in the hopes that these experiences will inevitably shape them into who God intends them to be. We are indeed grateful for this past year and we remain confident that our best is yet to come.” - RYAN DAVIS, DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS 8 IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020 “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15
Award Nominations CALL FOR 2021 NOMINATIONS The Bishop William L. Higi Leadership Award is presented annually to individuals who have exemplified their Catholic faith by taking risks and being a catalyst for transformational change in their community. Many awardees, in concert with Bishop Higi, had a vision of providing a Catholic high school education to those in the deanery and Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana. In the face of ruthless opposition and constant setbacks, these leaders put their faith ahead of their fears and for the first time in sixty years, helped open a new Catholic high school in Indiana. Nominations can be made for individuals and/or couples in each of the following three categories: Community, Faculty/Staff and Alumni. Nominations should focus on activities and service that “builds community” and will honor award winners for their commitment to the students, the overall mission and community of Guerin Catholic. Award winners will be announced by November 23, 2020 and will be officially honored at the annual Guerin Catholic Gala event on January 30, 2021. At a minimum, each nomination should state the category of nomination and establish the candidate’s (individuals and/or couples) qualifications with clear and concise detail. Anonymous nominations will not be accepted. Visit GuerinCatholic.org to submit your online nomination. The deadline for nominations is October 30, 2020. n Recognizing Outstanding Community, Faculty/Staff and Alumni members for their commitment to the students, overall mission and community of Guerin Catholic High School 2020 Higi Award Recipients (Top) Fr. Dale Ehrman (Community Award); (Bottom L-R) Mike and Grace Pratt (Community Award), Sam Gardner ’08 (Alumni Award), and Mrs. Marcia Murphy (Faculty/Staff Award). Presenting with each award recipient is Mr. James McNeany, Principal (L), and Dr. John Atha, President. GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG 9 PREVIOUS AWARD RECIPIENTS 2017 Bishop Emeritus William L. Higi (Founding Bishop of Guerin Catholic High School) 2018 Mr. Chris Braun Monsignor John Duncan Mr. Gary Malone Mr. Scott Schutz 2019 Barbara (Barb) and John Gallina Deborah and William (Willie) Wood 2020 Fr. Dale Ehrman Community Mike and Grace Pratt Community Mrs. Marcia Murphy Faculty/Staff Mr. Sam Gardner ’08 Alumni
“As we leave the shelter of Guerin Catholic, we must remember the stewardship we learned here: to lead with humility, to serve with love, and to trust in providence.” - GRACE VLASAK ON BEHALF OF THE CLASS OF 2020 VALEDICTORIANS 10 IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020
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12 Baccalaureate and Commencement For the first time in Guerin Catholic history, Baccalaureate and Commencement were celebrated outside on the lacrosse/soccer field due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Although their time at Guerin Catholic was cut short, the Class of 2020 persevered and celebrated together almost two months after their originally scheduled graduation. The 176-member class and their families gathered on two beautiful July evenings to celebrate a final Mass together as a class and receive their well-deserved diplomas. Each member of the Class of 2020 also received Guerin Catholic Legacy rings depicting the official crest of Guerin Catholic (see page 14). Valedictorians for the Class of 2020 were Alexandra Alva , Nico Dinglasa, Katherine Elsten , Faith Goodin, Margaret McGuire , Ashley Utnage and Grace Vlasak. Salutatorian was Audrey Darland . On behalf of the valedictorians, Grace Vlasak and Maggie McGuire addressed the class during Commencement. “Ironically, our class with all of its supposed 20/20 vision didn’t see any of the last few weeks coming,” said McGuire. “But, just like any other obstacle, we took a pandemic in stride. We reconnected with our families and found creative ways to stay in touch with our friends. And so, throughout quarantine, we made new memories, maybe not to replace the ones we missed out on but memories we will cherish forever, nonetheless.” “At Guerin Catholic, we came to know ourselves. It was a place to grow and the mark of this place on our character will remain with us wherever we go. Our time together may have been cut short, but we grew up together and therefore, will always be bonded,” continued McGuire. “Now, even as we enter the world in the wake of turmoil, we can do so with the confidence that we can persevere with the grace of God,” said Vlasak. “At this point, it would be customary to remind you all that the world is yours for the taking. But I won’t. The world is not yours for the taking. Instead, I will tell you that the world is yours for the stewarding. I’ll admit the phrase doesn’t have quite the same ring to it, but I ask you to consider why that might be. Maybe it’s because this phrase doesn’t indulge the desire for power, control, and perceived superiority that we carry into this new, uncertain, and somewhat daunting chapter of our lives. We are called to be stewards, not conquerors. As we leave the shelter of Guerin Catholic, we must remember the stewardship we learned here: to lead with humility, to serve with love, and to trust in providence.” n CLASS OF 2020 IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020
The Class of 2020 was awarded over $30 million in college scholarships with a 100% college acceptance rate. Congratulations to our newest alumni who remain in our hearts as #goldeneagles4life! GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG 13
After their Baccalaureate Mass, each member of the Class of 2020 received a Guerin Catholic Legacy ring engraved with their name, depicting the official crest of Guerin Catholic (see detailed description below.) Although there was nothing normal about their final few months as Guerin Catholic students, the rings will serve as a lasting reminder that they are #goldeneagles4life! Legacy Rings CLASS OF 2020 1 2 3 4 5 6 1. The Cross: At the center of the Crest is the Cross, representing the most important part of Guerin Catholic—our spirituality. The Cross is the focal point of the crest from which everything else is connected. 2. The Shield: The Marian Shield with Keys is part of the official crest of Pope John Paul II (now Saint John Paul) who was the Holy Father during our inaugural year of 2004. 3. The Leaves: The Leaves represent peace and glory to the world through service. Service to the Church and community is a responsibility that is expected of every student and staff member at Guerin Catholic. 4. The Book: The book represents our academics. St. Theodore Guerin High School has a strong commitment to rigorous academic preparation for our students. 5. The Lamp: The lamp represents spirituality, the light, and the life of our community. Matthew 5:14-16 states: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” 6. The Lion: The lion is represented in the official crest of our founding bishop, Bishop William L. Higi. 14 IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020
15 GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG We are honored to present this report that recognizes the dedication and commitment of Guerin Catholic volunteers and donors—alumni, parents, alumni parents, faculty, staff and friends. The entire Guerin Catholic community appreciates their extraordinary support to our school during the 2019-20 school year. Gifts stated in this report reflect annual fundraising efforts from July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2020. Even through a pandemic, the Guerin Catholic community has stood strong in their faith. Their unwavering commitment reflects their love of Guerin Catholic. As our patroness St. Theodore Guerin once said, “How we shall admire God’s care of us!”, we admire how God continues to bless our school through her intercession and the inspirational support from our community. As we begin a new school year, we reflect on the past year, celebrate our community and honor those who have helped make Guerin Catholic accessible, affordable and available to all. We also ask for God’s blessings for health and safety for our entire Guerin Catholic community. St. Theodore Guerin—Pray for us! With Gratitude, Lori Norris Vice President of Institutional Advancement 2019-20 SCHOOL GOVERNING BOARD Mark Titus, Presiding Officer Christine Burrows, Past Presiding Officer Pete Williams, Vice Presiding Officer Amy Smith, Secretary Mike Pottratz, Treasurer & Finance Jeff Chapman, Advancement Steve Lankton, Facilities Steve Ferrucci, Catholic Life Sam Gardner ’08, Alumni Council Jean Freudenthal, Parent Guild JR Freiburger, At-Large Mollie Smith, At-Large Fr. Dan Gartland, At-Large Priest Dr. Peg Dispenzieri, Superintendent, Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana Dr. John Atha, President Fr. John Nguyen, Chaplain 2019-20 ADVANCEMENT COMMITTEE Jeff Chapman, Chair Helen Brown Brian Cardinal Danielle Cardinal JR Freiburger John McCurdy Bryan Poynter Joe Reitz Will Riley Sarah Sansone Amy Smith Lynn Spartz Anna Spitznogle Jeff Tabor Alex Titus Joe Viater ’12 STAFF Lori Norris, Vice President of Institutional Advancement Dr. John Atha, President 2019-20 ANNUAL REPORT OF GIFTS
The Providence Fund allows us to meet our mission and make Guerin Catholic accessible, affordable and available to all by supporting three main areas: Tuition Assistance, Faculty/Staff Support and Student Life Experiences. Funds raised at the following special events benefit the Providence Fund throughout the year: Providence Fund Dinner, Grandparents Day, Guerin Catholic Gala (including Fund-a-Need), and Day of Giving (GC Cares). SUMMARY OF CONTRIBUTIONS JULY , TO JUNE , Alumni ................................................................................................. . % School Governing Board .................................................... . % Alumni Parents ......................................................................... . % Current Parents.......................................................................... . % Grandparents ................................................................................. . % Faculty & Staff ................................................................................ . % Friends ............................................................................................... . % Matching Gifts ............................................................................... . % TOTAL ............................................................................... % Scholarship Granting Organization ................... $ , Providence Fund Total ............................................... $ , Providence Fund .......................................................................... $ , Gala .......................................................................................................... $ , Fund-A-Need ........................................................................................ $ , GC Cares ................................................................................................... $ , Restricted Giving/Scholarships ............................ $ , Fine Arts Alliance ................................................................. $ , Golden Eagle Club .............................................................. $ , TOTAL...................................................................... $ , , ALL FUNDS BY CONSTITUENCY (%) SCHOLARSHIP GRANTING ORGANIZATION (SGO) Gifts to the SGO (designated to Guerin Catholic) provide needs-based scholarships to eligible incoming and current GC students. Guerin Catholic has partnered with the Institute for Quality Education (IQE) as our official Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO). An SGO is a state-designated 501(c)(3) that provides financial needs-based scholarships to students enrolled in non-public schools. This program is not only available to individuals, but to companies as well. 16 IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020 Stories of courage, support and gratitude are all around us during these unprecedented times. We have answered the call as a nation to care for each other. And we, as a Guerin Catholic community, have answered that call to care for our families in need with the help of God’s intercession and support of GC Cares. GC Cares was established in the spring of 2020 as an arm of the Providence Fund to provide emergency tuition assistance to Guerin Catholic families financially affected by the pandemic. Thanks to the generous support of 105 donors, 31 Guerin Catholic families were provided financial support to meet the financial obligations of a Guerin Catholic education. The total amount of tuition assistance given was $83,393. 19-20 Annual Report of Gifts The Fund-A-Need at the Guerin Catholic Gala in February 2020 raised over $35,000 for 175 new choir robes.
17 GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG Tuition Assistance ...................................................................... 73% Whether it's need-based financial aid, academic scholarships or staff discounts, we must strive to meet families where they are and help them attain a Guerin Catholic education for their children. Faculty/Staff Support ............................................................. % In order to attract and retain the best faculty and staff, we must offer competitive salaries and professional growth and development opportunities each and every year. Student Life Experiences ...................................................... % A Guerin Catholic education IS different—we must continue to enhance all of our academic and extracurricular programs in order to offer life-changing retreats, service and pilgrimage experiences, state-of-the-art learning tools and more. In 2020, the Guerin Catholic Gala’s Fund-A-Need raised funds to buy new choir robes for our students. - PROVIDENCE FUND ALLOCATION 73% 22% 5% $1,199,426 THREE-YEAR PROVIDENCE FUND COMPARISON - - - , , , , , , , , $ , , $ , $ , , - - - NUMBER OF DONORS AMOUNT 19-20 Annual Report of Gifts For more information about The Providence Fund, SGO, GC Cares, or supporting Guerin Catholic, please contact Lori Norris, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, at (317) 582-0120, ext. 216, or lnorris@guerincatholic.org.
“Make Him your friend, talk to Him like your friend, and let Him be your friend.” – SENIOR RETREAT LEADER Guerin Catholic gives its students a wonderful opportunity to grow closer to God every year through retreats. These retreats have truly transformed my prayer life and relationship with God. All of the retreats at GC are with your classmates from your grade—so we’re all traveling common paths and have similar struggles. In addition to making new friends I have also had life-changing experiences through GC retreats! Some of the best advice I have ever received was from a speech by a senior on one of our retreats. He was giving us advice and said that the best thing you could do is establish a firm friendship with God. He said, “Make Him your friend, talk to Him like your friend, and let Him be your friend.” So I did. And this was the best thing that I have ever done. This changed my outlook on everything. My prayer life took off and I created a forever friendship with God. I started to realize that I actually wanted to go to the chapel and visit Him to talk and pray. I started learning more about my faith, and I began to read the Bible more. I even started going to daily Mass and confession often. Just simply making visits to the chapel increases faith. For me sometimes I didn’t even say anything or pray, I just sat there, in the presence of the Lord. The Lord works in mysterious ways and He spoke loud volumes to me through that senior who cared and was brave enough to open up at our retreat. It was also through Guerin Catholic that I had a life-changing experience at a Eucharistic procession during a retreat. During the procession, the priest wears his humeral veil when he processes with Jesus. He then comes around to each person, stands in front of them, and He is right there. I reached out and touched the cloak of Jesus. I buried my face into Him. This was the most powerful and overwhelming encounter I have had with God. It changed my life. I am reminded of this experience every Sunday, when we can hold Jesus in our hands and receive Him. A verse from Proverbs 16:3 has guided me that says, “commit your deeds to the Lord, and your plans shall succeed.” I have learned to trust in the Lord and since then, our relationship has only strengthened. I have learned so much at my retreats at Guerin Catholic and I am truly blessed and grateful to have experienced them. n By Dominic Stein ’21 Open Hearts Dominic and his small group at Junior Retreat. DID YOU KNOW? The Providence Fund is the primary resource for funding all of our student retreats. Each year, GC students are able to attend life-changing retreats and it simply wouldn’t be possible without The Providence Fund. 18 IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020 Junior Retreat
19 GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG By Mrs. Shelley Horn English Faculty “We cannot do our work if we all stay in the nest.” – SAINT THEODORE GUERIN Would many adults immerse themselves into a group of seventy-five (give or take) juniors and seniors for three consecutive days outside of the comfort of a classroom and their own family?? I will testify it is an AMAZING experience and one of my favorite places in the Guerin Catholic community! I always share with my junior students prior to their retreat departure, “I cannot assure you that this retreat will change your life, but I will tell you that it WILL CHANGE your life.” That change, of course, is inherent in allowing the Holy Spirit to guide each participant through those four days. As followers of Christ, each day we are tasked with setting aside our own agendas and following Him. Often the students are anxious about leaving the comfort of their own beds, routine, and homework behind. As an adult mentor, I too, sometimes struggle with this truth of our Christian faith. Making sure my own family’s needs are secure while I am away, making sure my students in the classroom are on track while their peers are on retreat, and allowing me to “die to self” to serve the retreatants are the three biggest challenges I face, yet as I release my worries to Him, God provides! Serving as a mentor for the past several years, one of the greatest blessings I have received is witnessing the transformation among juniors at their retreat! Watching these young men and women abandon their comfort zone for four days, share in small groups, reconnect with friends, and make new friends is an absolute joy! I have witnessed Christ’s presence during retreat on many occasions: the quiet student eating alone suddenly joined by two others with laughter soon erupting from their table; the student whose inconsistent Mass attendance instantly rejuvenated by his peers’ invite to attend Mass together as a small group; the entire small group supporting one of their own through a challenging life situation encouraged with smiles, assurance and hugs (PRE-COVID-19!); a newly formed friend group walking the grounds of the St. Joseph Retreat Center together. These are just a few of the HUNDREDS of “Jesus” moments I have witnessed in the years I have served on junior retreat. On various occasions, I have shared my own faith journey with retreatants. Allowing those young people to see that I too struggle and succeed in my walk with Christ is another blessing of retreat. As a Catholic role model for these young men and women, it is imperative to share my own faith journey so that they can see Christ working in someone else’s life as well as their own. We sometimes forget the simplicity of keeping our hearts open so that we can see and hear Jesus. However, the retreat experience is that living reminder to our juniors at Guerin Catholic: allow one’s heart to be open so that Christ and the Holy Spirit may enter. As an adult, these young men and women remind me of the beauty of quiet meditation, forgiveness, laughter, and friendship. Removed from the routine of a regular school day, the retreat atmosphere delivers exactly what the soul needs: retreat, reflection, re-direction. This ministry is very near and dear to my heart as the students experience our love for them in our service. Other than my classroom at Guerin Catholic, there is no other place I would rather be with our young men and women in Christ! As St. Theodore Guerin reminds us, “We cannot do our work if we stay in the nest.” This reminder is integral in my own faith journey as I continue to minister and serve our students: I absolutely love the opportunity to see and share the beautiful journey Christ is preparing for them! n Open Minds Mrs. Shelley Horn’s small group at Fall Junior Retreat. DID YOU KNOW? The cost for one student to attend the Christian Awakening retreat their Junior year is over $250. Every gift to The Providence Fund makes a difference!
20 By Captain Tom Nichols ’07 What does service mean to you? Some associate service with volunteerism—time, energy, or money freely given to a charitable cause. Other definitions associate service with helping others, devotion and dedication, or a sacrifice made for the common good. As I reflect on the impact Guerin Catholic had on my life, it’s clear all of these definitions stem from one common truth. For me, service is a personal investment in the well-being of others. My association with Guerin Catholic started in 2004 shortly before the beginning of my sophomore year in high school. My dad and I attended Guerin Catholic’s dedication ceremony as photographers for the Catholic Moment. I listened to the speakers talk about the school’s purpose, mission, and philosophy. I was immediately drawn in. That night I asked my dad if I could transfer to Guerin Catholic. Approximately 10 days later I was walking down Guerin Catholic’s halls, wearing a button-down shirt and purple tie on the first day of school. Little did I know, the school would have a lasting impact on my life. The entire Guerin Catholic staff cultivated a lasting positive impact on my life—the editor’s word limit prevents me from adequately thanking all these individuals. Still, I do want to highlight a few of the specific mentors that stick out to me today. Mrs. Marcia Murphy spent hours coaching and preparing me and the rest of the Brain Game Team. Mr. Perry Page (“P2”) spent his lunch breaks teaching me individually since they did not yet offer Algebra for sophomores. Foregoing a lunch break for an entire trimester was quite the investment in my personal well-being. Mrs. Leona Chianello hosted me in her office during my “self-study” period and assisted me with homework when I needed it. Given my significant lack of artistic talent, Mrs. Beth Wagoner continued to challenge me with new techniques. I’m a terrible artist, so challenging me was not difficult, but tolerating me was a more significant chore. My home group lead, Mr. Jason Wagoner, acted as my personal mentor throughout high school. Last but not least, my baseball coach Mr. Jeff Buckner helped me develop through competition, instilling dedication, work ethic, and sportsmanship. (Mr. Buckner, I want you to know that I led my unit softball team in slugging percentage a few years back.) Alumni News Captain Tom Nichols ’07 SPACE FORCE AND SERVANT LEADERSHIP IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020
21 GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG Alumni News Since graduating from Guerin Catholic, I’ve had many personal, professional, and academic responsibilities. I enrolled at Xavier University in 2007. My wife Robin was the first girl I met at Xavier. Since we first met as freshmen, she has tirelessly helped me become the best student, Catholic, boyfriend, military officer, husband, and father I can become. In 2011, I commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force. After initial skills training, my first operational assignment was to Schriever Air Force Base in Colorado Springs where I operated satellites that support the President’s communication with military forces around the world. While working as a satellite vehicle operator, I earned my MBA in the evening. Since then, I have attended many formal Air Force education courses, to include Space Warfighter Preparation Course, Cyber Operations Fundamentals Course, the United States Air Force Weapons School, Squadron Officer School, and Air Command and Staff College. Other than my relationship with Robin, no personal, professional, or academic opportunity has ever been able to replicate the individual attention Guerin Catholic invested in my well-being. The sacrifice, devotion, and effort Guerin Catholic’s teachers provided made me a better person and became the living embodiment of what service means to me. As an Air Force officer, time and again I find myself trying to emulate their support and dedication as I attempt to provide the same support, mentorship, and leadership to the people I work with and that work for me. I will never be able to properly express the true impact these role models and servant leaders had on my development. There is one other significant leadership trait that I learned at Guerin Catholic that is inextricably linked to service. One of the most difficult things for leaders to do is to speak up when others are silent. This includes being a voice for the needy, neglected, and voiceless. I distinctly remember not understanding the purpose of my senior trip to the March for Life rally in Washington D.C. in 2007. It wasn’t until the march started that I truly appreciated what it meant to be the voice for the voiceless unborn. We also visited the Holocaust museum on that trip; another reminder of the necessity of using our voice to speak for the oppressed. Guerin Catholic gave me many unique opportunities to see things from others’ perspectives; something that I still cherish and try to remember as I grow as a leader in the military. In September, I will transition to the newly established United States Space Force. On June 1, 2021 I will promote to the rank of Major. As I reflect on these new and exciting responsibilities, I keep returning to the role-models at Guerin Catholic who shaped my development as a servant leader. There are many definitions of service, but they all express a single truth: service is a personal investment in the well-being of others. And we must never forget, that as Christians and Catholics we are ultimately called to be servants in everything we do—“The greatest among you must be your servant” (Matthew 23:11.) To all those who help make Guerin Catholic such a special place by personally investing in the well-being of the students, I have one simple message—thank you for your service. n Tom is currently stationed at the National Space Defense Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado. His previous assignments include Satellite Vehicle Operator in Colorado Springs, Instructor at the United States Air Force Weapons School in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Wing Weapons Officer in Colorado Springs. Tom also spent one year deployed to Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in 2015, planning Air and Space operations in the war against ISIL, as well as 4 months at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, coordinating Space Operations in the Indo-Pacific region. He has been married for 7 years to the first girl he met in college, Robin. Tom and Robin have two beautiful daughters, Emma (6), and Alice (2). They are expecting another daughter in November 2020. Captain Tom Nichols ’07 with his wife Robin and daughters Alice (L) and Emma.
22 AlumniNews PREPARED FOR THE CHALLENGE essential | i-sen(t)-shǝl | adjective absolutely necessary; extremely important; of the utmost importance. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted every member of the Guerin Catholic community. Guerin Catholic always works to instill a sense of servant leadership in its students in the hopes they will carry it with them into the “real world.” Here is just a sampling of the many Guerin Catholic alumni who continue to serve with love, placing themselves on the front lines with humble hearts as essential workers. Thank you, Golden Eagles! A.J. Edwards ’17 Kokomo Family YMCA “I have worked for the YMCA since I was a senior. After graduating, I took on additional responsibilities and now oversee a before and after school enrichment site, as well as day camps. When the pandemic began, we suddenly had to switch our focus to emergency child care for essential workers, and I was asked to direct this program. We instituted several safety changes to the program while keeping the program fun for the kids.” Rachel Stephanak ’14, BSN, RN St. Vincent Indianapolis, Head and Neck Surgical Cancer Unit “During the pandemic, my job is to make sure our floor stays as clean as possible, and any possible COVID-19 patients are relocated to our COVID floor. Cancer surgeries have continued, and I frequently work overtime 4-5 days in a row to make up for being short staffed. For us, our patients, and our community things are very uncertain, but we appreciate all of the prayers being sent our way!” Henry Stevens ’13 Hamilton County Sheriff’s Dept. “Being an essential worker during the pandemic has been a bittersweet experience. While there is the stress of risking exposure while working, I am grateful to have my job and paycheck through uncertain times. I pray for all the unemployed who have lost their jobs during the pandemic.” IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020 Alumni News
Kate Burrows ’11, BSN, RN, CCRN Honor Health, Adult ICU “It’s funny that I am a nurse. I remember telling my counselor Mrs. Grace Pratt during my freshman year at Guerin Catholic that “I didn’t want to go into the medical field because I didn’t like science and biology…I think I am going to be a flight attendant.” Now, here I am and I can’t imagine being anything else. During this time of uncertainty we are all essential. It is essential to love one another with a judgement free, kind heart. It is essential to recognize the opportunity we all have to serve others with words but, also, actions. I challenge those who don’t fall under the defined “essential worker” category to reflect upon how they can use each day to be essential for their family, friends and strangers. Be genuine, be fearless, and when in doubt, give grace.” J.P. Clayton ’11 Indianapolis EMS, Paramedic “During the COVID-19 pandemic, I have been working as a paramedic with Indianapolis EMS. One thing that stands out to me in particular is the perseverance and dedication of my fellow co-workers and first responders. When everybody else needed to stay at home, the brave men and women of Indianapolis EMS, Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department, and Indianapolis Fire Department answered the call to put their lives on the line each day to care for and protect the citizens of Marion County. It is that kind of courage and resilience that I hope people will always remember.” Kristen Santucci ’13, BSN, RN Peyton Manning Children’s Hospital, Pediatric Oncology “With all of the changes and uncertainty within the healthcare system during the pandemic, we all have been adapting to the new normal. While there have been challenges, I could not be more proud of the people that I work with that have stepped up each and every day.” Natalie Swindle ’12, RN ICU Travel Nurse “When I graduated from nursing school, I never envisioned working on the frontlines of a pandemic. These last few months have been humbling, terrifying, frustrating, and inspiring. I’ve been incredibly thankful for my fellow nurses and healthcare workers. We have definitely risen up together and here we are months later, still fighting together!” Anna (Stark) Busald ’13, BSN, RN Riley Children’s Hospital, COVID-19 Unit “Being a nurse during the pandemic hasn’t been easy, but it has been so rewarding to see the kids we care for get better and go home! We are constantly having to adapt to new changes as research comes out but I’m glad I work with an amazing team to make it all a little easier.” 23 GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG Alumni News (Photo Right)
24 IMPACT MAGAZINE • FALL 2020 8 11 8 12 7 18 Alumni News FROM EAST TO WEST . . . our alumni are the best! 2.2% Percentage of total alumni who made a gift to the Providence Fund in 2019-20, with an average gift of $1,000 1,929 TOTAL ALUMNI (CLASSES OF 2007-2020) WHERE ARE THEY NOW? Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Washington DC, Wisconsin Numbers above reflect addresses on file for Classes 2007-2018. 2010 The Class of 2010 won our Class Challenge for the #GCcares campaign in the spring. As promised, a Senior Class Throwback Video was posted on Social Media! Check it out @GuerinCatholic.
CHANGE OF DATES ALUMNI EVENTS Due to the ongoing pandemic, many of our traditional Alumni events such as Homecoming, Class Reunions, Trivia Night, and the Alumni Mass & Breakfast have been postponed or cancelled. Please visit GuerinCatholic.org for the latest event information, and follow Guerin Catholic Alumni on social media. CLASS OF 2010 TEN-YEAR REUNION While in the midst of planning a Fall 2020 reunion, the Class of 2010 Ten-Year Reunion planning committee collectively made the decision to postpone the reunion to the Spring of 2021 due to the continuing pandemic. Be sure to update your latest contact information on GuerinCatholic.org so that the committee can keep you updated with the most recent reunion information. Please reach out to the following committee members with any questions or concerns: Katie (Regan) Gardner ktrr311@gmail.com Breanna Feigenbaum blfeigenbaum@gmail.com Paxton (Syrek) Gorsage paxton.gorsage@gmail.com Kim (Sexton) Zimmerman kim.zimmerman12@gmail.com Carly Santucci ’11 Carly Santucci ’11 planned to marry Mr. Patrick Snyder on October 17, 2020, but due to the pandemic postponed until August 14, 2021. “While it was the hardest decision to decide to postpone our wedding for 10 months, we knew it was the right decision amid so much uncertainty. We felt so fortunate to have the support of family and friends, and all those who are playing a big part in our special day. We are looking forward to a joyous celebration in 2021.” Alumni News Lauren Bowers ’10 Lauren Bowers ’10 planned to marry Sam Werne on May 2, 2020, but due to the pandemic postponed the wedding until November 20, 2020. “We’re hopeful that there will be positive changes in the next few months, and that we’ll be able to celebrate our marriage with our family and friends.” Catherine Dillon ’13 and Callan Lyons ’12 Catherine Dillon ’13 and Callan Lyons ’12 were married July 25, 2020 after postponing their original date from May 2020. Kristen Santucci ’13 Kristen Santucci ’13 planned to marry Lucas Coleman on June 6, 2020, but due to the pandemic postponed their wedding until June 12, 2021. “Never in a million years did we imagine our wedding being postponed due to a pandemic. But we did what was best for our loved ones. We are really looking forward to celebrating our marriage next June!” CHANGE OF PLANS 25 GUERINCATHOLIC.ORG CHANGE OF ADDRESS Be sure to submit your most up-to-date contact information at GuerinCatholic.org to receive notifications of future Alumni events and news! CLASS OF 2010 HOMECOMING THROWBACK
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